Florida Home & Garden – Bar Cart 101

Florida Home & Garden – January 2019
By: Melissa Puppo

A bar cart is the perfect solution for adding some spice to any bare living space. With so many styles and accessories to choose from, we turned to Picnic Fashion owner Becky Finn to share styling tips. An authority on decorating and entertaining, Finn has owned her West Palm Beach shop for three years.

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PERFECT MATCH
Finn recommence choosing a bar cart that is reflective of your personality and entertaining style. Are you someone who prefers a classic piece, or are you leaning toward modern or retro vibes? Think of the cart as you would a bookcase, dining room table or credenza — it’s a focal point that evolves through the seasons.

PLAY DRESS UPNow that you have your cart picked out, it’s time to have a little fun. “I encourage seeking out one or two vintage pieces that you love and can be changed with the seasons or occasion,” Finn say’s. Add fun touches to display like flowers in a special vase, cocktail books, small framed photos and even holiday decorations.

Incorporate color and texture with cocktail napkins, coasters, a bar towel and small plates for garnishes such as olives, cherries and nuts.

KEEP IT SIMPLE
Be sure to have Champagne flutes, coupes, martini glasses, highball tumblers, double old fashioned glasses and shot glasses on-hand. Not all glassware needs to loo alike: have fun mixing and matching. An ice bucket that can double as a Champagne chiller is also ideal, Finn says, as well as a cocktail shaker.

As for tools, stock up on the following: a corkscrew, muddler, stirrer, strainer, jigger, swizzle sticks and tongs. They can be displayed in a glass cocktail shaker. Additional items for occasion-based entertaining include copper Moscow Mule mugs and margarita glasses.

THE ESSENTIALS
You can’t have a bar cart without the important stuff: the alcohol. It’s smart to stock up on the basics, including gin, vodka, whiskey and tequila. Fun additions such as bitters and liqueurs, like vermouth and triple sec, are needed for mixed cocktails.

Finn advises being honest about drinking habits, as to stock your cart accordingly. “If you love mixology and the cocktail creation ritual, you will stock your cart to reflect your Tates and interests,” she says. “If you host a Prosecco party every weekend, but never touch the hard stuff, your cart will be stocked to reflect you bubbly personality.”

Finn’s pro tip: If you’re traveling, bring home a special liqueur to display (many of which are available duty-free), or purchase a local brand that will remind you of your trip after returning.